She only took up running last year after making the century landmark age. “I’m always outside and the phone always rings,” she said. “I come running in [so that] is how I knew I could run.” Hawkins believes she can go even faster, too.

Hawkins was born in Wisconsin in 1916 and has always fancied herself as an ‘independent’ person – despite having four children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

“Having a momma that can do this pleases them, and it pleases me to please them,” she added.

Fair play, Julia, fair play. I’ve just timed myself and I couldn’t make it round the block in 40 seconds.